Child&#39;s hair care chair

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a chair, at least one restraining-strap and at least one compartment. The at least one compartment includes a slide-out tray and a tray-aperture for holding a book or other entertainment means for the child. The chair is useful for assisting parents and caregivers, as well as stylists, in caring for a young child&#39;s hair by facilitating the washing and rinsing of the child&#39;s hair without fear of accidents or a struggle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/521,282 filed Jun. 16, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of chairs and more specifically relates to a chair to facilitate washing of a child's hair.

2. Description of Related Art

Salons can be an uncomfortable experience for many children. Traditional salon chairs are not designed for small children and cannot be adjusted to accommodate children's height. As a result, children are subject to staying in an uncomfortable position for an extended time and may end up getting soap and water into their eyes. Even at home, washing and styling a child's hair can be a tedious and exhausting task. Some children have a fear of water and others fear shampoo getting in their eyes. This can result in a struggle as the child tries to avoid the bath and necessary hair care. Parents are often trying to work quickly, and this can lead to accidents. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,804 to Linda Gale Brown relates to a child's hair shampooing chair. The described child's hair shampooing chair includes a chair designed to comfortably, conveniently, and safely accommodate babies, toddlers, and small children while washing and rinsing their hair, and to eliminate the chance of slipping. The child's hair shampooing chair protects the child's face, eyes and ears from water and suds while washing and rinsing the hair. The chair has an adjustable inserted neck rest to comfortably rest the child's neck and to allow water to freely flow away from the child's face, eyes and ears. The chair also has a replaceable cushioned lining for the adjustable inserted neck rest, chair back, and body contoured seat for added comfort. The left and right arms prevent the child from falling out. An adjustment device used while the child is seated to adjust inserted neck rest into desire reclining positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known chairs art, the present disclosure provides a novel child's hair care chair. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a chair for assisting parents and caregivers, as well as stylists, in caring for a young child's hair. It may prevent fear and help soothe a child when washing their hair in a bath tub or beside the sink. Further, the chair may facilitate the washing and rinsing of the child's hair without fear of accidents or a struggle.

An apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a chair which may include a seat-portion, a back-rest portion and a leg-portion. The back-rest portion may be pivotally-connected to the seat-portion such that the back-rest portion may be able to pivot between a reclined state and an up-right state relative to the seat-portion. Further, the leg-portion may be configured to support the seat-portion on a substantially horizontal-surface. At least one restraining-strap may be attached to at least one of the seat-portion and the back-rest portion and at least one compartment disposed within the seat-portion.

A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed herein. The method of using the apparatus may comprise the steps of: providing the apparatus as above; standing the chair on the substantially horizontal-surface via the leg-portion; seating the user on the seat-portion of the chair; restraining the user to the chair via the at least one restraining-strap; and grooming the user's hair.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a child's hair care apparatus or chair, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of the apparatus during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a front-side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a child present, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a front-side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a child not being present, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front-side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front-side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to chairs and more particularly to a child's hair care apparatus or chair as used to improve the chair for facilitating hair washing of a child.

Generally disclosed is a chair that holds a small child securely and comfortably in a reclined position during washing. The chair may convert back to a sitting position to use when styling a child's hair. The chair may be comprised of a water-resistant hard plastic base, a foam cushion for comfort, and a back and neck rest. A retracting back board may be included to lift or lower child to desired level for comfort during hair washing and styling. The chair may be reclined as needed and laid flat if desired. Nylon straps may be used to secure the child into the seat; nylon straps may also be used to secure the chair to another chair. A rubber suction cup may be included to prevent slipping in the tub or on the countertop. The chair may include rustproof metal legs with rubber boots to stabilize on any floor surface. Further, the chair may include drip holes to drain extra water from the seat during transition from tub/sink onto the chair/floor. A book nook may be included to place reading materials or coloring books and cups to hold products. The exact specifications may vary.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of an apparatus 100.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the apparatus 100 may include a chair 110, at least one restraining-strap 120 and at least one compartment 130. As shown here, the apparatus 100 may be used for seating a user 10 during his or her hair grooming. In this figure the user 10 is shown to be a child. But it should be appreciated that the apparatus 100 is not limited to use by the child. For example, the apparatus 100 may be useful for elderly users, disabled users, animals, etc.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show front-side perspective views of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chair 110 may include a seat-portion 112, a back-rest portion 114 and a leg-portion 116. The back-rest portion 114 may be pivotally-connected to the seat-portion 112 such that the back-rest portion 114 is able to pivot between a reclined state and an up-right state relative to the seat-portion 112.

The leg-portion 116 may be configured to support the seat-portion 112 on a substantially horizontal-surface 5. As shown in FIG. 2A, the substantially horizontal-surface 5 may be a floor-surface. In some embodiments and as shown here, the floor-surface may be a bottom of a bathtub. In one embodiment, the leg-portion 116 may include four legs 117. Each of the four legs 117 may include a gripping-end 118 configured to grip the floor-surface and prevent slippage. This may be particularly useful for embodiments where the apparatus is used on the bottom of the bathtub, as there may be a slippery surface. In a preferred embodiment, each gripping-end 118 may be made of a rubber-material. However, other materials are contemplated. Examples may include silicone, plastic, and the like. The leg-portion 116 may be made of a metal that is rustproof to prevent premature wearing of the leg-portion 116. In addition to this, the apparatus 100 may be made of waterproof and water-resistant materials.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the leg-portion 116 may include four suction-cups 119 configured to support the seat-section on the substantially horizontal-surface 5. In this embodiment, the substantially horizontal-surface 5 may be a chair surface. Further, the leg-portion 116 may be selectively configurable between a folded-position and an unfolded-position. This may be particularly useful for the embodiments in which the four suction-cups 119 are used to support the seat-section, as the four legs 117 may be folded out of the way.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a front-side perspective view of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The at least one restraining-strap 120 may be attached to at least one of the seat-portion 112 and the back-rest portion 114. As shown here, the at least one restraining-strap 120 may be attached to both the seat-portion 112 and the back-rest portion 114. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one restraining-strap 120 may comprise two shoulder restraining-straps 122 and may be configured as a harness. However, other restraining-straps are contemplated. Further, in some embodiments, straps are not used. This embodiment may be particularly useful for older children.

Further, the seat-portion 112 may include a first-strap 142 attached to a first-side 111 of the seat-portion 112 and may further include a second-strap 143 attached to a second-side 113 of the seat-portion 112. The first-side 111 of the seat-portion 112 may be opposite the second-side 113 of the seat-portion 112. Further, as shown, the first-strap 142 and the second-strap 143 may be configured to attach the seat-portion 112 to the chair-surface.

FIG. 4 shows a front-side perspective view of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The at least one compartment 130 may be disposed within the seat-portion 112. Further, as shown, the at least one compartment 130 may include a slide-out tray 132 disposed within an inner-capacity of the at least one compartment 130. The slide-out tray 132 may be used to hold a plurality of items to keep the seated user 10 entertained. Further, the slide-out tray 132 may include a tray-aperture 136. The tray-aperture 136 may be particularly useful for storing items for use by the child. Examples may include books such as coloring books, reading books, etc. Other examples of items that may be stored in the tray-aperture 136 include tablet computers, smartphones, e-book devices, and the like.

Further to this, as illustrated, the slide-out tray 132 may be used for storing foods and drinks and for use as a table for the child or user 10 to consume the foods and drinks. In this embodiment, the slide-out tray 132 may further include at least one cup-holder 134. The cup-holder 134 may be sized to receive differently sized cups.

Further, as shown here in FIG. 4, the seat-portion 112 and the back-rest portion 114 may include a plurality of drainage-apertures 140 configured to aid in drainage of water through the apparatus 100. The drainage-apertures 140 may prevent the user 10 (FIG. 2A) seated in the apparatus 100 from becoming particularly soiled or wetted and may also prevent premature wear of the apparatus 100. In addition to this, the seat-portion 112 may further include a cushioned-section 141 configured to provide comfort to the user 10 (FIG. 2A). Examples of materials contemplated for the cushioned-section 141 may include foam, wool, polyester, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the cushioned-section 141 may be waterproof and non-absorbent to prevent any ill effects on the seat-section such as mold, smell, etc. Further, as shown, the back-rest portion 114 may also include the cushioned-section 141.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using an apparatus for seating a user during grooming of the user's hair 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using an apparatus for seating a user during grooming of the user's hair 500 may include the steps of: 501, providing the apparatus 100 as above; 502, standing the chair 110 on the substantially horizontal-surface 5 via the leg-portion 116; 503, seating the user 10 on the seat-portion 112 of the chair 110; 504, restraining the user 10 to the chair 110 via the at least one restraining-strap 120; and 505, grooming the hair of user 10. As above, the substantially horizontal-surface 5 may be a floor-surface, or a chair-surface. Further steps may include step 506, providing the apparatus 100 as above with the slide-out tray 132 disposed within the at least one compartment 130, wherein the slide-out tray 132 includes the tray-aperture 136 configured to hold at least one book; and step 507, placing the at least one book in the tray-aperture 136.

It should be noted that step 506 and step 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for apparatus 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An apparatus for seating a user during grooming of the user's hair, the apparatus comprising: a chair including a seat-portion, a back-rest portion and a leg-portion, the back-rest portion being pivotally-connected to the seat-portion such that the back-rest portion is able to pivot between a reclined state and an up-right state relative to the seat-portion, and wherein the leg-portion is configured to support the seat-portion on a substantially horizontal-surface; at least one restraining-strap attached to at least one of the seat-portion and the back-rest portion; and at least one compartment disposed within the seat-portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leg-portion is selectively configurable between a folded-position and an unfolded-position. and
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the leg-portion includes four legs.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the substantially horizontal-surface is a floor-surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the four legs include a gripping-end configured to grip the floor-surface and prevent slippage.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each gripping-end is made from a rubber-material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leg-portion includes four suction-cups configured to support the seat-portion on the substantially horizontal-surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the substantially horizontal-surface is a chair-surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the seat-portion includes a first-strap attached to a first-side of the seat-portion, and further includes a second-strap attached to a second-side of the seat-portion; and wherein the first-side of the seat-portion is opposite the second-side of the seat-portion; and wherein the first-strap and the second-strap are configured to attach the seat-portion to the chair-surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat-portion and the back-rest portion further include a plurality of drainage-apertures configured to aid in drainage of water through the apparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat-portion further includes a cushioned-section.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one restraining-strap comprises two shoulder restraining-straps, and wherein the two shoulder restraining-straps are configured as a harness.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment includes a slide-out tray disposed within an inner-capacity of the at least one compartment.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the slide-out tray includes a tray-aperture.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slide-out tray further includes at least one cup-holder.
 16. An apparatus for seating a user during grooming of the user's hair, the apparatus comprising: a chair including a seat-portion, a back-rest portion and a leg-portion, the back-rest portion being pivotally-connected to the seat-portion such that the back-rest portion is able to pivot between a reclined state and an up-right state relative to the seat-portion, and wherein the leg-portion is configured to support the seat-portion on a substantially horizontal-surface; at least one restraining-strap fixedly attached to at least one of the seat-portion and the back-rest portion, the at least one restraining-strap configured to restrain the user to the chair; and at least one compartment disposed within the seat-portion, and wherein the compartment includes an inner-capacity configured to hold at least one item; and wherein the leg-portion is selectively configurable between a folded-position and an unfolded-position; wherein the seat-portion and the back-rest portion further include a plurality of drainage-apertures configured to aid in drainage of water through the apparatus; wherein the seat-portion further includes a cushioned-section configured to provide comfort to the user when seated; wherein the at least one restraining-strap comprises two shoulder restraining-straps, and wherein the two shoulder restraining-straps are configured as a harness; wherein the at least one compartment includes a slide-out tray disposed within the inner-capacity; wherein the slide-out tray includes a tray-aperture sized to hold at least one book; wherein the slide-out tray further includes at least one cup-holder; and wherein the chair is made from a water-resistant material.
 17. A method of using an apparatus for seating a user during grooming of the user's hair, the method comprising the steps of: providing the apparatus for seating the user during the grooming of the user's hair, the apparatus including: a chair including a seat-portion, a back-rest portion and a leg-portion, the back-rest portion being pivotally-connected to the seat-portion such that the back-rest portion is able to pivot between a reclined state and an up-right state relative to the seat-portion, and wherein the leg-portion is configured to support the seat-portion on a substantially horizontal-surface; at least one restraining-strap fixedly attached to at least one of the seat-portion and the back-rest portion, the at least one restraining-strap configured to restrain the user to the chair; and at least one compartment disposed within the seat-portion, and wherein the compartment includes an inner-capacity configured to hold at least one item; standing the chair on the substantially horizontal-surface via the leg-portion; seating the user on the seat-portion of the chair; restraining the user to the chair via the at least one restraining-strap; and grooming the user's hair.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the substantially horizontal-surface is a floor-surface.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the substantially horizontal-surface is a chair-surface.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing the apparatus including a slide-out tray disposed within the at least one compartment, wherein the slide-out tray includes a tray-aperture configured to hold at least one book; and placing the at least one book in the tray-aperture. 